ASTM D7845-17 is able to detect 29 specific chemicals found in marine fuel oil but not 4-cumyl phenol, notes the Group Managing Director of VPS.
75 off-spec instances recorded; top three ports (descending order) Rotterdam, Singapore, Odessa.
Total sales in August and September down by 0.2% and 13.2% on year respectively, show PMA data.
There are several types of GCMS test methods available and not all are equally effective in detecting contaminants, explains the Group Managing Director of VPS.
Report identified 76 international instances of off-spec bunker fuel between 1st and 14th October 2018.
Many members affected and incidences have resulted in incurred significant cost in many cases, it states.
The bunker industry needs to be careful about jumping to conclusions on fuel contamination, says Unni Einemo.
‘But if the contamination is undetectable by all required testing methods, then who is truly at fault?’
Several samples from Ulsan, Yosu and Masan exceeded the 60 mg/kg limit for Aluminium + Silicon.
Condition monitoring ‘key’ to solving stability issues with low sulphur marine fuel, it says.
